Welcome to Term 3! Although it's still freezing, at least the days are getting longer. This is a bumper edition of the LINK. So many things to share and if you read right to the bottom, you'll find out what I've been beavering away on... I hope to see you at our Reflection and Direction Setting in August. Julie JohnstonNENHN Manager

Taking the Reins amidst the Chaos

Angie from Reservoir Neighbourhood House will be running a workshop for neighbourhood house managers on ways to increase your effectiveness as a manager to take better control of the workload at your Neighbourhood House. Learn ways to improve your work plan to lessen chaos and strengthen outcomes. Sound good? Book here. Workshop will be held at Watsonia Neighbourhood House. $10 includes materials on USB and morning tea.

Reflection and Direction Setting 17 August

Our next NENHN forum for all members will be at Allwood Neighbourhood House in Hurstbridge. This will be a chance to reflect on where we up to with our current strategic plan and look towards the future. The session will be facilitated by Maureen McConnell, Networker Community House Association of Outer Eastern Suburbs . Read right to the bottom of this newsletter for more information about the day and you can book here.

ANHCA Public Fund for DGR free Webinars!

Book yourself into one of two webinars to learn more about accessing Deductible Gift Recipient funding via our national peak, ANHCA. Learn how you can access new sources of funding. Pick a time to suit you: Monday 25 July 2pm or Tuesday 16 August 6:30pm. Register here

NENHN Committee position vacant

I would like to thank Dawn McDonnell from Living and Learning Panton Hill for serving on the NENHN Committee. Dawn has made a great contribution drawing on her many years of experience in the neighbourhood house sector. Dawn is stepping down from the committee as she has reduced her working hours. There are currently two casual vacancies on the NENHN committee. Please contact the chair person, Jeff Percy if you are interested.

Job Opportunities at PRACE

PRACE are looking for a program coordinator and project worker for the REALS Program. The Reconnect: Engagement and Learning Support (REALS) Program is part of the Victorian Government’s Back to Work scheme. The Scheme is designed to help get young unemployed people, retrenched workers, out-of-trade apprentices and people looking for work longer than 12 months back to work and education. More details here. Applications close 21 July.

Basic Numeracy and Literacy Teacher Needed ASAP

Holden Street Neighbourhood House in North Fitzroy are looking for a teacher for this class to start as soon as possible. Contact Jacinta. Details here.

MYOB Tutor for Whittlesea Community House

MYOB tutor needed for Fridays in term 4. Contact Mary-Lynn Griffith here for more details.

DHHS - FAR+RA turns into SACC via SAM in FAC

In plain English... our funding body the Department of Health and Human Services has changed the Financial Accountability Report and Risk Attestation into the Service Agreement Compliance Certification which is submitted in SAM, the Service Agreement Module. SAM is Accessed through the Funded Agency Channel (FAC). Still not making sense? Watch the lovely Rebekah in this informative video here.

AGM tip sheet

Governance Training and Support

Are you a committee member? Find out about the benefits of joining the Institute of Community Directors Australia here.

Another treasure trove

I often head to ourcommunity.com.au for resources. This week I found out about a British website called KnowHow Nonprofit by National Council of Volunteer Organisations. It has some great resources such as how to run a campaign or write a communications strategy. Check it out here.

NDIS Rollout

The NDIS commenced in our region on 1 July. Click here for a presentation by the Brotherhood of St Laurence who are the Local Area Coordinators for our area.

Council Customer Satisfaction Survey

We are all striving to strengthen our relationship with local government. This research report sheds light on how residents view council services. I think it is helpful for us to understand the factors that are influencing councils.

Support the Dairy Farmers

Our farmers are struggling due to the latest price cuts for milk. The Norther Victoria Farmer Relief Drive have approached the NENHN for help. Their community is exhausted by fundraising and they have asked if metropolitan neighbourhood houses can be a collection point for non-perishable goods for farmers. Contact Jenni Clark, Facilitator - Northern Victoria Farmer Relief Drive 0427641287. More information here.

NENHN Imagining

I'm having a mid year moment as I write this on 30 June. Looking back and looking forward on 2016. I love sharing in your events and working on ideas for your houses so I though you might like to know a bit more about what is going on for the Network. This has been quite a different year for me. It's the first year without any major projects. Thomastown Neighbourhood House is no longer auspiced by the Network, they are proudly independent and thriving as an incorporated association. Liz du Toit who was a project officer with the Finding Neighbourhood Houses Online project finished up at the end of 2015 after three wonderful years of creative collaboration. We have Liz to thank for our website, supporting houses in Mailchimp and social media as well as many other behind the scenes contributions to the Network. So, with the ending of some significant chapters in the life of NENHN, it's time to consider what next.

I'm really keen to meet with as many members as possible at our Reflection and Direction Setting day on 17 August so that I can hear your thoughts on our priorities and how we can work together to achieve them.

Many of you would know that I get excited about making neighbourhood house You tube videos. These videos have been used in council presentations, funding submissions and on you websites and to promote events. I have many more project ideas brewing as houses and LGA networks keep suggesting projects. I think there is potential to further develop this function of the network. Our current strategic plan has three key directions.

Positioning

Profile Raising

Financial Viability

On my "anything is possible" days, I imagine a media unit for neighbourhood houses operating out of the NENHN office. A creative hub where stories are crafted into works of art that touch the hearts and hip pockets of many. We know the work we do in neighbourhood houses is important, it's about sharing that message in a persuasive way that encourages more people to participate and support what we do.

Ideas have been swirling around in my head and I am grateful to members of the NENHN committee and other NENHN members who have listened to my thoughts and helped me in practical ways to make progress. We're transforming the NENHN office from a storeroom/museum that has housed paper from the past that is no longer relevant into what I hope will be an inspiring space for people to plan and create together. There is still a way to go, but I thought now is a good time to share the ideas with everyone and seek your input.

Refresh your memory of our strategic plan here so that we're all on the same page when we meet next month in the beautiful Allwood House. And by the way, please book so that we have enough delicious soup and bread to feed everyone.

Well done on getting all the way to the bottom of the newsletter! Thanks for engaging with the NENHN. Bye for nowJJ